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Overview

The Elfstones of Shannara (Shannara Series #2) by Terry Brooks

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FANTASY TALES OF ALL TIME. NOW AN EPIC SPIKE TV SERIES. Thousands of years after the destruction of the age of man and science, new races and magic now rule the world, but an imminent danger threatens. A horde of evil Demons is beginning to escape and bring death upon the land. Only Wil Ohmsford, the last of the Shannara bloodline, has the power to guard the Elven Princess Amberle on a perilous quest to the save the world, while the leader of the Demon force aims to stop their mission at any cost.

Praise for Terry Brooks

“Shannara was one of my favorite fictional worlds growing up, and I look forward to many return trips.”—Karen Russell, author of Swamplandia!

“If Tolkien is the grandfather of modern fantasy, Terry Brooks is its favorite uncle.”—Peter V. Brett, author of The Skull Throne “A great storyteller, Terry Brooks creates rich epics filled with mystery, magic, and memorable characters.”—Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon

Product Details

About the Author

Terry Brooks has thrilled readers for decades with his powers of imagination and storytelling. He is the author of more than thirty books, most of which have been New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife, Judine, in the Pacific Northwest.

Read an Excerpt

The night sky brightened faintly in the east with the approach of dawn as the Chosen entered theGardens of Life. Without, the Elven city of Arborlon lay sleeping, its people still wrapped in thewarmth and solitude of their beds. But for the Chosen, the day had already begun. Their trailingwhite robes billowing slightly with a rush of summerwind, they passed between the sentries of the Black Watch, who stoodrigid and aloof as such sentries had stood for centuries gone before thearched, wrought-iron gateway inlaid with silver scroll and ivory chips.They passed quickly, and only their soft voices and the crunch of theirsandaled feet on the gravel pathway disturbed the silence of the new dayas they slipped into the pine-shadowed dark beyond.

The Chosen were the caretakers of the Ellcrys, the strange and wondroustree that stood at the center of the Gardens--the tree, as the legendstold, that served as protector against a primordial evil that had verynearly destroyed the Elves centuries ago, an evil that had been shutaway from the earth since before the dawn of the old race of Men. In allthe time that had followed, there had been Chosen to care for theEllcrys. Theirs was a tradition handed down through generations ofElves, a tradition of service that the Elves regarded as both a covetedhonor and a solemn duty.

Yet there was little evidence of solemnity in the procession that passedthrough the Gardens this morning. Two hundred and thirty days of theyear of their service had gone by, and youthful spirits could no longerbe easily subdued. The first sense of awe at the responsibility giventhem had long since passed, and the Chosen of the Elves were now justsix young men on their way to perform a task they had performed each daysince the time of their choosing, a task grown old and familiar--thegreeting of the tree at the first touch of sunrise.

Only Lauren, youngest of this year's Chosen, was silent. He laggeda bit behind the others as they walked, taking no part in their idlechatter. His red head was bent in concentration, and there was a deepfrown on his face. So wrapped up in his thoughts was he that he was notaware when the noise ahead ceased, nor of the steps that fell backbeside him, until a hand touched his arm. Then his troubled face jerkedup abruptly to find Jase regarding him.

"What's the matter, Lauren? Are you sick?" Jase asked. Becausehe was a few months older than the rest, Jase was the accepted leader ofthe Chosen.

Lauren shook his head, but the frown did not leave his face entirely."I'm all right."

"Something is bothering you. You've been brooding all morning.Come to think of it, you were rather quiet last night, too."Jase's hand on his shoulder brought the younger Elf about to facehim. "Come on, out with it. Nobody expects you to serve ifyouaO(TM)re not feeling well."

Lauren hesitated, then sighed and nodded, "All right. It's theEllcrys. Yesterday, at sunset, just before we left her, I thought I sawsome spotting on her leaves. It looked like wilt."

"Wilt? Are you sure? Nothing like that ever happens to theEllcrys--at least that's what wea've always been told," Jasesaid doubtfully.

"I could have been mistaken," Lauren admitted. "It was gettingdark. I told myself then that it was probably just the way the shadowslay on the leaves. But the more I try to remember how it looked, themore I think it really was wilt."

There was a disconcerted muttering from the others, and one of themspoke. "This is Amberle's fault. I said before that somethingbad would come from having a girl picked as a Chosen."

"There were other girls among the Chosen, and nothing happenedbecause of it," Lauren protested. He had always liked Amberle. She hadbeen easy to talk to, even if she was King Eventine Elessedila'sgranddaughter.

"Not for five hundred years, Lauren," the other said.

"All right, that's enough," Jase interrupted. "We agreednot to talk about Amberle. You know that." He stood silently for amoment, pondering what Lauren had said. Then he shrugged. "It wouldbe unfortunate if anything happened to the tree, especially while shewas under our care. But after all, nothing lasts forever."

Lauren was shocked. "But Jase, when the tree weakens, the Forbiddingwill end and the Demons within will be freed . . ."

"Do you really believe those old stories, Lauren?" Jase laughed.

Lauren stared at the older Elf. "How can you be a Chosen and notbelieve?"

"I don't remember being asked what I believed when I was chosen,Lauren. Were you asked?"

Lauren shook his head. Candidates for the honor of being Chosen werenever asked anything. They were simply brought before the tree--youngElves who had crossed over into manhood and womanhood in the prior year.At the dawn of the new year, they gathered to pass beneath her limbs,each pausing momentarily for acceptance. Those the tree touched upon theshoulders became the new Chosen, to serve until the year was done.Lauren could still remember the mix of ecstasy and pride he had felt atthe moment a slender branch had bent to touch him and he'd heardher speak his name.

And he remembered, too, the astonishment of all when Amberle had beencalled . . .

"It's just a tale to frighten children," Jase was saying."The real function of the Ellcrys is to serve as a reminder to theElven people that they, like her, survive despite all the changes thathave taken place in the history of the Four Lands. She is a symbol ofour people's strength, Lauren--nothing more."

He motioned for them all to resume their walk into the Gardens andturned away. Lauren lapsed back into thought. The older Elf'scasual disregard for the legend of the tree disturbed him. Of courseJase was from the city, and Lauren had observed that the people ofArborlon seemed to take the old beliefs less seriously than did those ofthe little northern village from which he came. But the story of theEllcrys and the Forbidding wasn't just a story--it was thefoundation of everything that was truly Elven, the most important eventin the history of his people.

It had all taken place long ago, before the birth of the new world.There had been a great war between good and evilaO"a war that the Elveshad finally won by creating the Ellcrys and a Forbidding that hadbanished the evil Demons into a timeless dark. And so long as theEllcrys was kept well, so long would the evil be locked from the land.

So long as the Ellcrys was kept well . . .

He shook his head doubtfully. Maybe the wilt was but a trick of hisimagination. Or a trick of the light. And if not, they would simply haveto find a cure. There was always a cure.

Moments later, he stood with the others before the tree. Hesitantly, helooked up, then sighed in relief. It appeared as if the Ellcrys wasunchanged. Perfectly formed, her silver-white trunk arched skyward in asymmetrically balanced network of tapered limbs clustered with broad,five-cornered leaves that were blood-red in color. At her base, stripsof green moss grew in patchwork runners through the cracks and crevicesof the smooth-skinned bark, like emerald streams flowing down a mountainhillside. There were no splits to mar the trunk's even lines, nobranches cracked or broken. So beautiful, he thought. He looked again,but could see no signs of the sickness he had feared.

The others went to gather the tools they would use in the feeding andgrooming of the tree and in the general upkeep of the Gardens. But Jaseheld Lauren back. "Would you like to greet her today, Lauren?" heasked.

Lauren stammered his surprised thanks. Jase was giving up his turn forthe most special of tasks, obviously in an effort to cheer him.

He stepped forward under the spreading branches to lay his hands uponthe smooth-skinned trunk, the others gathering about a few paces back torecite the morning greeting. He glanced upward expectantly, searchingfor the first beam of sunlight that would fall upon her form.

Then abruptly he drew back. The leaves directly above him were dark withpatches of wilt. His heart fell. There was spotting elsewhere as well,scattered throughout the tree. It was not a trick of light and shadow.It was real.

He motioned frantically for Jase, then pointed as the other cameforward. As was their custom at this time, they did not speak, but Jasegasped as he saw the extent of the damage already done. Slowly the twowalked around the tree, discovering spots everywhere, some barelyvisible, others already darkening the leaves so badly that theirblood-red color seemed drained away.

Whatever his professed beliefs concerning the tree, Jase was badlyshaken, and his face reflected his dismay as he went back to confer inwhispers with the others. Lauren moved to join them, but Jase quicklyshook his head, motioning to the top of the tree, where the dawn'slight had almost reached the uppermost branches.

Lauren knew his duty and he turned back again to the tree. Whatever elsewas to happen, the Chosen must greet the Ellcrys this day as they hadgreeted her each day since the beginning of their Order.

He placed his hands gently on the silver bark and the words of greetingwere forming on his lips when a slender branch from the ancient treedipped slightly to brush his shoulder.

--Lauren--

The young Elf jumped at the sound of his name. But no one had spoken.The sound had been in his mind, the voice little more than an image ofhis own face.

It was the Ellcrys!

He caught his breath, twisting his head to glimpse briefly the branchthat rested on his shoulder before turning quickly back again. Confusionswept through him. Only once before had she spoken to him--on the dayof his choosing. She had spoken his name then; she had spoken all theirnames. It had been the last time. She had never spoken to any of themafter that. Never--except to Amberle, of course, and Amberle was nolonger one of them.

He looked hurriedly at the others. They were staring at him, curious asto why he had stopped. Then the branch that rested upon his shoulderslipped down to wrap about him loosely, and he flinched involuntarilywith its touch.

--Lauren. Call the Chosen to me--

The images appeared quickly and were gone. Hesitantly Lauren beckoned tohis comrades. They came forward, questions forming on their lips as theystared upward at the silver-limbed tree. Branches lowered to clasp each,and the voice of the Ellcrys whispered softly.

--Hear me. Remember what I tell you. Do not fail me--

A chill swept over them, and the Gardens of Life were shrouded in deep,hollow silence, as if in all the world only they were alive. Imagesfilled their minds, flowing one after the other in rapid succession.There was horror contained in those images. Had they been able, theChosen would have turned away, to flee and hide until the nightmare thatpossessed them had passed and been forgotten. But the tree held themfast, and the images continued to flow and the horror to mount, untilthey felt they could stand no more.

Then at last it was finished, and the Ellcrys was silent once more, herlimbs lifting from their shoulders and stretching wide to catch thewarmth of the morning sun.

Lauren stood frozen, tears streaming down his cheeks. Shattered, the sixChosen faced one another, and in each mind the truth whisperedsoundlessly.

The legend was not legend. The legend was life. Evil did indeed liebeyond a Forbidding that the Ellcrys maintained. Only she kept the Elvenpeople safe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Elfstones of Shannara (Shannara Series #2) 4.4 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
177 reviews.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I read The Shannara series as a teenager looking for something similar to The Lord of the Rings. The series was amazing! But this book is my all time favorite!!! Its a beautifully written story...you won't be able to put it down...

Gilbert_M_Stack

More than 1 year ago

The sequel to Terry Brooks&rsquo; Sword of Shannara, Elfstones is a far superior work. It tells the story of the grandson of Shea Ohmsford, hero of the first novel, and his efforts to help a young elf girl save the world while a few brave men try to hold off demonic forces to save the elven kingdom As a teenager, I figured out about half way through the novel what &ldquo;saving the world&rdquo; meant in this book and I read with growing horror as I discovered that I was correct. It&rsquo;s a very powerful story.
Elfstone is a fast moving, action packed novel filled with wonderful characters: The Iron Man, Stee Jans remains one of my favorite heroes of all time; The Rover woman, Etria, one of the strongest characters in the book, whose only flaw is that for some incomprehensible reason, she likes Wil Ohmsford; and the introspective Prince Ander, who finds the weight of a kingdom on the shoulders he is quite certain are not ready.
This is my favorite of the Shannara books. It&rsquo;s definitely worth your time.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Finally I have found a sequel that measures up to original! I haven't finished yet, but am SOOOOOO excited to read it. Whether or not you liked the original has nothing to do with it. This book's awesome!

Sakura123

More than 1 year ago

Excellent book. This series got me interested in reading the sci-fantasy genre books. A whole new world was just waiting for me to discover. What an amazing journey!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This sequel to the Sword Of Shannara, tells a brilliant tale of the elves battling evil, with Wil Ohmsford and his magic stones seeking the seed and the 'Blood Fire' which will protect the land from the evil Demons. Read again, brilliantly, by Charles Keating, this magical tale has a terrific story line, great characters, and a thrilling ending. Worthy of listening to or reading. I look forward to the third part of the tale: The Wishsong Of Shannara.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I thought this was one of the best books out of the Shannara series. The story moved along well and it wasn't too predictable.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

In the last 20 years, my nightstand has had a love-affair with every Terry Brooks book. I have personally read every book of his, multiple times. I've read the Elfstones at least 5 times. Elfstones is an incredible book... Probably one of my favorite he's ever written. The story line is smooth, you never loose where you are. The antagonists are formidable, key players aren't spared, and the climax is almost a Shakespearian tragedy.

Buffles

More than 1 year ago

I you liked Lord of the Rings but are looking for something new to read this is a good substitute The setting, characters and story will seem familiar to those who enjoy the fantasy genre. Obviously not as good as LOTR but Elfstones will keep you entertained from cover to cover.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I've read most of Terry's Shannara novels at least twice and some of them still keep me on the edge of my seat. I have yet to read (and buy) the Word/Void Trilogy, but that doesn't stop me from re-reading the Shannara series. This is a must have if you plan to continue returning to the land of Shannara. Happy Reading! :)

Anonymous

9 months ago

The tv series has encouraged me to read the series again for the third or fourth time

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

A lot like Tolkin, but an easy read and characters are endearing

carlosmock

More than 1 year ago

The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks
In Arborlon, capital of the Elves' kingdom, the Ellcrys - the tree that protected against the evils of the world for millennia - is dying. The Chosen, who cared for the tree have been murdered. The Demons who were imprisoned inside the tree have escaped and are creating havoc. Lead by Dagda Mor with his minions Reaper and Shapeshifter, the evil is assembling hungry to destroy those that imprisoned them for centuries. Only Amberle, granddaughter of Eventine Elssedil, the Elf King and herself a chosen, can save them.
Wil Ohmsford, a human elf, is charged by the Druid, Allanon, with escorting Amberle on her quest to carry the Ellcrys' seed to the Bloodfire. Wil knew his grandfather's Elfstones are the source of a great magic that have been used to save the four worlds before. As they travel together throughout the realm, both Wil and Amberle discover their true purpose in life.
I became interested in the book after watching the Shannaran Chronicles on MTV. I was not prepared for what I encountered. The book is much better than the TV show. Narrated from an universal point of view, Mr. Brooks creates a world of fantasy that can compared to Tolkien's Lord of The Rings. Brooks painstakingly narrates every little aspect of the magic of the four races: Men, Elves, Trolls and Dwarves. We learn of the history of the worlds, from the time of the Great Wars, The War of the Races, and the creation of the Ellcrys - the prison of the defeated Demons.
I thought this is one of the best books I've ever read. Loved the metaphor of how men had damaged the world - climate change, nuclear holocaust - and how the Elf race that has existed forever to take care of the world.
"The Elves believe that they owe a debt to the land, for the land is the creator and provider for all life. The Elves believe that when one takes from the land, one must give something back in return. This belief is traditional; it is a ritual."
This is one of those books that should be read by everyone!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

KT_Iversen

More than 1 year ago

I GUESS I EXPECTED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN! * I decided to review this book because I reviewed the first of this continuing saga. To this day I'm not sure what forced me to read it, as it was even more boring than its predecessor. In a nutshell, nothing ever happens but a long winded romp through the woods and occasional--very occasional--battles with evil. And here is the biggest problem with this book. The hero is one dimensional, lacking of personality, inept, and rarely ever does anything worth remembering. Yet somehow he always manages to overcome the evil pitted against him. The evil characters, on the other hand, are terribly cliche, overwhelmingly powerful to the point that they could never be beaten except by the use of serious hand of god tricks--yet are always thwarted or defeated outright. To conclude, the only suitable description for the outcome of this epic is A Trite Blend of Underwhelming and Anticlimactic Balderdash. Once again, however, I am glad that Terry succeed with this effort, along with his many others, because mine is only one opinion, and apparently not all that popular to boot. Furthermore, I still like to believe that someone, somewhere, should help to support the writers of our world, even when they're not amazing.

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